Antique Glossary: Furniture Part III D
| Damask Named for the city of Damascus from which the most famous silks came to Europe during the 12th century and later, damask is a fabric used for upholstery on many European antiques. The fabric is a dense weave of silk and wool that is commonly wound with metallic threads such as gold or silver. Davenport Desk A small 19th century English writing desk. Built to save space they usually had drawers that pulled from the sides of desk. Sometimes the drawers were shallow ones that faced each side but could also be very long ones that opened on only one side of the desk. Davenport Table A long, narrow table intended to be placed behind a couch. Obviously, only useful for couch not set against a wall. Demoiselle An odd piece of furniture much sought after by antique furniture collectors. In France during the age of extraordinary wigs and head pieces many woman of means possessed as small table that was mounted with a facsimile of a human head. Dentils Rectangular decorations found on the top of antique dressers, armoires, and the like. Evenly spaced and squared, they resemble teeth. Desk Box A wooden box with drawers for papers and a surface, either tilted or flat, for writing. They were built for centuries for merchants, military officers, and others. Generally speaking they become larger and more complicated over time, eventually adding legs and additional drawers. Directoire Style The French government that followed the Revolution is called the Directoire. The style of furniture made in France during the relatively brief period between the Revolution and Napoleon is called Directroire Style. It was yet another design style that harkened back to classicism and duplicated themes from Ancient Rome and Greece. Divan A couch made without arms and little or no back. Usually richly upholstered to resemble an inaccurate image of Turkish harem furniture. Dolphin In antique furniture lingo the word does not only apply to the sea mammal. Dolphin is used to describe any sea creature used as decoration on a piece of furniture. A chair may rest on feet that resemble a killer whale but it will still be referred to as dolphin-footed. Dove Tail Joint A method of joining boards to form corners by fitting together interlocking teeth-like projections at each end of the pieces being joined. The name derives from the general shape of the joining pieces which resemble a birds tail. Dowl A wooden peg that, along with a dollop of glue, holds two pieces of wood together. They were commonly used before nails became common and afterwards when a nail wouldn’t be appropriate. Drop Handles Hinged handles that dangle in front of a drawer or pull leaf. Drop Leaf A table or desk surface extension piece that sits perpendicular to the surface when not in use. Dropped Seat A chair seat where the middle and front is lower than the side edges. Dry Sink A cabinet with a metal tray top and storage cupboards below. It was made for kitchen across America during the 19th century. Dummy Board Figures Wooden silhouettes of human and animal figures commonly used as home and furniture decorations in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. Drunkard’s Chair An arm chair made in England during the 18th century with an exceptionally wide seat. Presumably to provide an amble target for inebriated plopping and freedom of movement while seated. Dutch Colonial During the 17th century the Hudson River Valley area of North American was settled by Dutch immigrants. They brought with both extraordinary woodworking ability and taste for substantial furniture. Dutch Colonial furniture is massive, simple in form, and timelessly appealing. ---- Posted on July 31st, 2006 Silas Finch is a freelance writer and regular contributor to Collectible Antiques Etc. He can be reached at Content and Solutions or by email at silas@collectibleantiquesetc.com. |
